Time-control signal system



D. W. DRISCOLL 7 TIME CONTROL SIGNAL SYSTEM Aug. 28, 1923.

Filed April 27,

a series arm 25. Arms 24 Patented Aug. 28, 1923.

DANIEL w. muscoLL, or VILLANOVA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TIME-CONTROL SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Application filed April 27,

T all whom it may concern;

Be it known that DANIEL W. DRISCOLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Villanova, in the county of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Time-Control Signal Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention signalling systems in which it may be de? sired to cause signals at a particular time or of time intervals during the day.

More particularly it relates to a system of ringing bells for hotels, schools, and like es-, tablishments where it is desirableto signal at regular intervals to announce thetime, or where it may be desirable to provide an'automatic calling means to arouse guests at particular times. a

The objects ofthe present invention are to provide a novel and efficient system of the character described in which the length of time of ringing or signalling may be varied in a simple manner; and such other objects as may be attainedin the preferred embodiment hereinafter disclosed, and shown in the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one type of system.

Figure 2 represents a modified form of transmitting dial.

Figure 3 represents a modified form of receiving dial.

Figure 4 is a detail of adjustable brush.

Figure 5 is a detail of a plug used to complete circuits on the receivng dial.

Referring to Figure 1, the transmltting dial is made up of a series of outer metallic contacts which may be in the form of extensions of a metallic ring 21. Contacts 20 are imbedded in a dial of insulation 22 and numbered from 1 to 12 in accordance with the arrangement of the hours on an ordinary clock dial. The contacts 20 are wedge shaped, but it will be understood that the number and shape of these contacts may be varied at will to give the desired interval and length of ringing, as will appear more fully hereinafter. An inner ring of contacts 23, separated by insulation is imbedded in dial 22. Driven by an ordinary clock mechanism, is an hour arm 24 and a minute and are of metal and make electrical contact at all times with each other. A brush fixedly carried by arm 24 view showing a form be fixed by relates to time controlled,

sired.

' switch 36 in the through '34, bell or 1923. Serial No. 635,009.

makes electrical, contact successively with segments 23 as arm 24 is rotated. Contacts 23 as shown represent about five minute intervals of the movement of arm 24. Arm 25 carries an adjustable brush 26 which may a set screw in various positions along reduced extension 27 of arm 25. Extension 27 may be graduated to indicate the length of time of contact between brush 26 and segments 20 over which-it is carriedby minute arm 25. It will be apparent-that the time of contact will vary with the position of brush 26 on extension 27. i 1

The receiving dial, Figure 1, is made up of a series of contacts 28, spaced around the dial and separated from eachother by insulation. The number of these contacts 28 is equal to the number .of contacts 23 onthe transmitting dial. Separatedfrom the ring of contacts 8 by a series of plug holes 29is a metallic ring 30. There is a plug hole for each contact 28, and ring 30 is electrically insulated from contacts 28 except at points where a metallic plug is inserted into. holes 29. A series of plugs 31 are provided for i11- sertion into holes 29 for the purpose of elfecting electrical connection between individual ones of contacts 28 and ring 30. A series of wires 32, connect corresponding ones of contacts 23 and 28, there being a wire 32 individual to each pair of these contacts, Wires 32 may be put up in standard cable 33 if de- Electrically connected to ring 30 is a conductor 34 which lcadsto a common battery 35 and a switch arm 36. Arm 36 is adapted to make contact with switch points 37 or 38. Point 37 is electrically connected to arm 24 by conductor 39 and point 38 is electrically connected to ring 21 by conductor 40. A bell 41 or other signalling device is connected in series in conductor 34. As indicated by arrows 42, any number of bells could be connected in parallel, or in series using alternating current bells, in circuit 34, and operated simultaneously from agiven set contacts 23 and 28. p i

he operation of the system is as follows: Plugs 31 are inserted in the proper holes 29 to cause ringing at the times desired. Vith position shown, as arm 24 passes the contacts 23 corresponding to the times at which plugs 31 are inserted on the receiving dial, a circuit will be completed from the contact 23, through corresponding wire 32, contact 28, plug 31, ring 30, back bells 41, battery 35,

switch arm 36,.contact37, conductor 39 and arm 2%, ringing all the bells in the circuit until arm 2 passesofl the contacts 23 corresponding to the times Where plugs have been inserted. i

If switch arm 36 is placed on/contact 38, the circuit will be from 23 to 36 as above traced, then through 40, ring '21, the first contact 20 with Which contact is made by brush 26, through arm arm Z -it and back to contact 23. Ringing will then occur only dnri the'tim'e in which brush "26 is in contact with 20. By this arrr-tngement, ringing may be caused for a short interval every five minutes if desired. This system is particularly desirable for school ringing to annou'nce classes lire minutes before the hour and'on the hour. It is obvious that ringing may be automatically caused in this manner at various intervals during the day.

Figure fishows a modified form of trans mitting dial in which a single arm may be used to control the time interval and length of time of ringing. In this form, contacts 23 are Wedge shaped and insulated from each other. Arm 24 is driven by clock Work and completes the circuit through adjust able brush 26 The period of ringing is varied byvarying the position of 26 as explained tor brush 26. The remainder of the operation 'ancl circuits should be obvious and is similar to that disclosed in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a modified form of receiving dial. A series of contacts '28, corresponding in number and position to contacts 23 on the transmitting dial," is used, and the circuit to the bells is completed through switch arm 43. With this arrangement only one ringing period can be set at one time. The transmitter control may obviously be that shown. 1nF1gures 1 or 2.

Having described preferred en'ibodin'icnts of any invention, what 1S claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patcut is:

1. A signalling system comprising signalling rneans, means for controlling the time of operation of said signalling means, and means tor varying the length of the operating periods oi said signalling means comprising a set of Wedge shaped contacts, a brush arm rotatable over said contacts, and a brush carried by said brush arm and adapted to engage said contacts to make longer or shorter electrical connection, said brush being adjustable on said arm to vary its path of engagement with said contacts.

2. A signalling system comprising signalling means, means for controlling the time of operation of said signalling means, and means for causing signalling to occur during the entire time of predetermined intervals or during a part only thereof comprising tWo series of contacts and means for causing one set alone or both sets in combination to become operative.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 2 in which thesecondmentioned means comprises aclock Work, and in which the last mentioned means comprises two arms driven by said clocliceach ot-said arms being adapted to engage one of said series of contacts, a circuit including said signalling means and one of said arms to cause operation during the entire predetermined interval, and a circuit including both of said arms to cause operation during a part only of said interval.

Signed at Villanova, Pennsylvania, 26 day of April 1923.

thi s DANIEL WV. DRIS'COLL. 

